Nature designed Florida to be a large marine ecosystem. Florida is a large sandy peninsula located below the 40th North American Longitudinal Line. Three bodies of salt water (the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida, and the Atlantic Ocean) surround three out of four directions of Florida. Man-made canals, natural lakes, rivers, and estuaries are confined within the physical boundaries of the State of Florida. All of these elements form an interlocking system of waterways that impact the interconnected marine environment (marine ecosystem). All of Florida's waterways connect to surrounding bodies of water while passing through Florida's subtropical and temperate zones and impact the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. Man and nature are having an unprecedented negative impact on this region. Hurricanes, lack of green initiatives, waste, pollution and the despoilment of natural resources to accommodate population growth are decimating Florida's natural ecosystems. Florida's marine ecosystems are constantly changing. Change is inherently necessary. Change is nature's means of adaptation. Although there are occasional "positive" changes, major incremental changes have a devastating negative impact on Florida's marine environment. Several factors are directly linked to this negative change. Most of these factors are man-made. One cause is natural. It's the hurricane. Hurricane season runs from June to November (NOAA) each year. On average, 11 named storms occur each year in the Atlantic basin, 6 of which reach hurricane strength and 50% of which become major hurricanes of category 3 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale ( NOAA). Whether small or large, hurricanes cause damage and change...... middle of paper ......tm>.Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Waste Management Division, July 9, 2009. Web. February 2, 2010. .National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, December 1, 2009. Web. February 19, 2010. .National Weather Service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, January 5, 2010. Web. February 2, 2010. .Stephens, Henry A. “Recycling Limits Could Expand in Indian River County.” » TCPalm.com. TC Palm, February 6, 2008. Web. February 3, 2010. .Web log article. Sea World Orlando is becoming sustainable. Orlando Escapes, November 1, 2008. Web. February 19. 2010. .